The
International Genealogical Index is the property of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and is the world's largest
collection of genealogical records. Information comes from
individual research and original genealogical records which have
been collected, microfilmed and extracted by the LDS Church for millions of
deceased persons from throughout the world from between 1500 and
1900.
Information
can be downloaded free of charge by GEDCOM file from the IGI
Internet site.
For
personal assistance in using the IGI you may find it helpful to
visit a branch of the LDS Family History Library (called Family
History Centers). There are hundreds of these centers worldwide,
staffed by helpful volunteers. You can locate a center nearest to
you by entering your city or town in the search field found on the
website's home page. www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp
All
services from an
LDS
Family
History
Center
, including personal research assistance, are free to the public
except microfilm orders (cost of postage only) and photocopies.